Polarizing Fantasy Players: Week 9

Fantasy Sports Writers Association Hall-of-Famer Bob Harris and Gary Davenport have well over 40 years of experience as fantasy football analysts and three Football Writer of the Year Awards between them. They know their stuff—or at least that's what they tell themselves.

Each week during the 2024 season, Harris and Davenport are going to come together here at Footballguys to discuss some of that week's most polarizing fantasy options.

Week 8 was a microcosm of the 2024 season as a whole—with all 32 teams in action, the NFL (and fantasy football) was off the chain. A huge upset in Cleveland, a message sent by the NFC's best team and a finish in the nation's capital that had to be seen to be believed—all of which sent shockwaves across the fantasy landscape.

We'll start this week's column with that wacky finish in Washington—and what it means for a young quarterback rapidly becoming a star.

All Hail, King Jayden

The Jayden Daniels Hail Mary will be replayed on television 11 million times in the last week of December alone, but at this point, there's no denying that the rookie has wildly exceeded expectations in every way imaginable.

How soon is too soon to anoint Daniels the No. 1 quarterback in fantasy football?

HARRIS: I keep thinking of my approach to the position this summer. If I missed out on Anthony Richardson in Rounds 5 or 6 of drafts, Daniels was next on my list. I thought all the things I expected from Richardson were possible for Daniels, except he was available Rounds 9 or 10.

But if I was somewhat concerned about the 6-4, 245-pound Richardson's ability to handle the inevitable battering that comes with his style of play, they were even more significant for Daniels, who, at 6-4 and 210 pounds, doesn't back off contact. Given the price, that concern might have been the only thing keeping me from investing exclusively in the rookie.

We all knew -- or should have known -- Daniels had far more to hang his hat on than Richardson. Daniels threw 40 TD passes and four interceptions at LSU in his 2023 Heisman Trophy-winning season. He also rushed for 1,184 yards and 10 TDs. While the rushing ability set was appealing, Daniels was far more advanced as a passer than Richardson. In retrospect, I can acknowledge that was an understatement.

But the idea that either of them could push for QB1 overall status was part of their appeal during draft season. For Daniels, it still is.

That said, as long as Lamar Jackson is playing at MVP levels, and Josh Allen is still capable of superhuman performances any given Sunday, they'll be obstacles in Daniels' pursuit of that coveted QB1 spot. Not insurmountable. But definitely obstacles.

DAVENPORT: I wish I had invested more heavily in Daniels, although the fact I was able to get him at 1.05 in a superflex dynasty still blows my mind. I went from rebuild to contender in one pick. Completely changed the trajectory of that franchise.

Of course, the same can be said about Daniels and the Commanders. Last week's miracle win over the Bears was Daniels in a nutshell. His athleticism. His accuracy. His blossoming bromance with wide receiver Terry McLaurin. His toughness. And his ability to win.

Right now, Daniels is about 40 fantasy points off Jackson's pace among quarterbacks. He's also trailing Baker Mayfield of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers because nothing makes sense anymore. I'm with Harris that it isn't going to be easy to out-Lamar Lamar. But there's a legitimate chance that a rookie will finish 2024 as the fantasy runner-up under center. And that's something that doesn't happen all that often.

No comment on Richardson—at least not while Harris is still working the stages.

Running Back Chatter

We live in a world where Najee Harris and a fifth-round rookie are two of fantasy's hottest running backs, so it might be the Apocalypse. Or Friday.

Use your polarizing powers and point out a running back set to exceed expectations—and one who needs to ride the pine.

HINT: It can't be Harris.

Harris Chase Brown of the Bengals sits at RB21 in the Footballguys Week 9 Rankings. He's hit double-digit fantasy points in four of the last five games and has touchdown upside. This week, he faces a Raiders run defense that's allowed at least 13.3 fantasy points to every lead back they've faced this season. And if you're not sure Brown is the lead back, his 70.6 percent running back rush share in Week 8 was the second-highest of his season. He gets an excellent opportunity to exceed expectations.

Nick Chubb of the Cleveland Browns is gaining ground. In the Week 8 win over the Ravens, he ran the ball 16 times for 52 yards while serving as the Browns' clear lead running back. It was an increase from his 11-carry, 22-yard (granted, with a TD) debut in Week 7. Chubb will continue to gain momentum down the stretch, especially if Jameis Winston and the passing attack can continue to perform well enough to keep opposing defenses honest. But this isn't the week to raise expectations. The Chargers are No. 4 in fewest fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs. According to CBSSports.com, they've allowed two touchdowns to running backs all season and none since Week 4. You might not want to bench him, but Chubb will have to battle to meet our RB23 projection.

Davenport: In terms of both fantasy points for the season and his spot in the FBG Rankings this week, Brian Robinson Jr. of the Washington Commanders is viewed as a lower-end fantasy RB2 in Week 9. But Robinson has at least 12 touches in four of the past five games. He's found the end zone five times in seven contests. And he's facing a porous Giants run defense that has allowed over 140 yards a game on the ground this season. Robinson smashes as the Commanders roll this week.

Josh Jacobs of the Green Bay Packers was back at practice Thursday—there was little chance he was going to miss a battle for first place in the division against the Lions. Quarterback Jordan Love's status isn't as certain—and a run-heavy gameplan against Detroit's fifth-ranked run defense won't be an easy climb. Even if Love does play, the Lions have surrendered the fewest PPR points per game in the NFC to running backs. Most managers have little choice but to start Jacobs. But I don't "love" (See what I did there?) his chances of a good game in Week 9.